How Traction Elevators Work

The elevator industry took off
following the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th
century. In fact, the new iron and steel processes completely revolutionised
the building world which meant that the construction of elevators had to change
in order to meet the increasingly high demands of skyscrapers. Here at
Elevators Ltd, we are proud to say that we manufacture, supply and install a
wide range of elevators. Read on as we summarise how the traction elevator
works…

As the most simplistic elevator
system, traction is perfect for large elevators such as those found inside
skyscrapers. In fact, they are made up of four main components: cables/ropes, a
sheave/pulley, a counterweight and a motor; each one works hand in hand in
order to provide the passenger with a smooth and safe journey up or down to
their required floor.

Often the machinery is hidden away
in a separate room known as the ‘Machine Room’, so it is important that a
building considering a traction elevator has the necessary extra space. With
this said, it is possible to purchase MRL (Machine Room-Less) traction
elevators which are much more compact and do no require the extra space for a machine
room.

Thankfully, the way a traction
elevator works is relatively simple: the motor is attached to something known
as a sheave and this has a cable looped over it. One end of this cable is attached
to the cab whereas the other end is attached to something known as a
counterweight. This helps reduce the amount of strain that is placed on the
motor by making the cab much lighter to move. When the machinery is triggered
by a passenger calling the cab to a particular floor, the counterweight lowers
or rises in order to move the cab, a little bit like a see-saw.

Generally, traction elevator
systems are thought to be more efficient than hydraulic systems because they
aren’t as reliant on moving mechanical parts and fluid systems. On the other
hand, Machine Room traction elevators can be unsuitable for small buildings
because they require a lot of extra space.

When it comes to elevators, it is
important to understand how your requirements can influence the type of lift
you should purchase. After all, traction elevators are thought to be the most
versatile on the market and can be purchased with or without gears. To find out
more information about our range of traction lifts, get in contact with the best
lift company
around and speak to a member of the Elevators Ltd team today!